'College GameDay' Without Fans Is Going to Be So Depressing: TRAINA THOUGHTS

No fans means no energy, no atmosphere for ESPN's College GameDay.

1. Apologies in advance, but I'm going full Debbie Downer here, so feel free to skip to the next item if you'd like.

Kirk Herbstreit gave a radio interview Monday during which he said ESPN still plans on taking the always enjoyable College GameDay on the road this season, but without fans surrounding the set.

Kirk Herbstreit says ESPN's plan is for College GameDay to hit the road this fall during an appearance on @3HL1045.

The show likely to feature virtual fans this season: https://t.co/9dV84HclwK

— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) August 25, 2020

While watching sporting events without fans or with virtual fans is bizarre more than anything, watching College GameDay without fans will be flat-out depressing.

Outside of pro wrestling, there has never been a sports show that has relied more on fans than College GameDay. And maybe that's because there are a lot of similarities between WWE and College GameDay. 

They are both built on energy, atmosphere, signs in the crowd, characters, and somewhat unhinged fans. 

Without fans, we'll still have the College GameDay characters, although I'm going to guess right now that 85-year-old Lee Corso will not be making any trips to college campuses this season and ESPN will have him do his headgear bit virtually. 

While I give ESPN credit for its "the show must go on attitude" and I understand why they'd go forward with this plan (even though I think they should just do the show from a studio), it's going to sting each and every Saturday morning when you tune in and see Rece Davis, Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Corso all by themselves or surrounded by ridiculous virtual fans instead of college kids.

Nothing is normal in 2020, including sports. We will get a harsh reminder of that anytime we check out College GameDay this season.

2. LeBron went DEEP for a three-pointer Monday night, which led to a couple of his teammates doing an investigation to find out just where the King was when he took his shot. Also, the local broadcast call of the shot was excellent.

3. This seems like a pretty serious fear to have if you're a Major League Baseball player who has to fly constantly.

Mike Trout said he has a fear of flying. He said if there's a hurricane in Houston, he might not fly with the team home. "I do not like turbulence. You can ask any of my teammates. I already told J-Up, if that happens, we're driving six hours west and then flying."

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) August 24, 2020

4. Clearly, you can't give less of a you-know-what than Earl Thomas gives when you come up with this excuse for missing work.

Earl Thomas told Ravens he 'had to get his car washed' as excuse for being late https://t.co/5wN9miX0XA pic.twitter.com/INXO3Up1yP

— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) August 25, 2020

5. The latest SI Media Podcast features a conversation with Keith Hernandez.

Hernandez, who calls Mets games for SNY, took a lot of heat for siding with the Rangers and Padres manager Jayce Tingler against Fernando Tatís Jr., after Tatís hit a grand slam on a 3-0 pitch with the Padres up 10-3 in the eighth inning.

However, Hernandez explains on the podcast that he's rethought his position and has a different take now.

The former MVP also shares several awesome stories about his legendary cameo on "The Boyfriend" episode of Seinfeld. Hernandez talks about how Larry David helped him deliver his memorable "I'm Keith Hernandez" line while also coming clean about his Seinfeld fandom.

You can listen to the podcast below or download it on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher and Google Play.

6. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: If you watched the Republican National Convention on Monday night and thought one speech sounded a little familiar, this is for you.

7. SPORTS VIDEO OF THE DAY: The history of College GameDay signs.

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Stitcher. You can also follow Jimmy on Twitter and Instagram.